Parts of Microscopes

6th Grade ScienceIntro to MicroscopesBarbara Bloemers

Michigan BenchmarksOr Why Do I Have to Know This?

MicroscopeOne of the most importanttools used to study livingthings.

“Micro” means very small

“Scope” means to look at

Diagram of a typical student light microscope, showing the parts and the light path

Test Your Knowledge#1

The word “microscope” means:

A. Glass eyeB. Small ~ to look atC. To search for

You are Correct!The word “microscope” meansVERY SMALL ~ TO LOOK AT

Oops!Micro means “very small”

Scope means “to look at”

What do you think microphone mightmean?

Basic Microscope Parts 1. Base2. Light source3. Diaphragm4. Stage5. Stage clips6. Low power 7. High power8. Nosepiece9. Arm10. Fine Focus11. Body Tube12. Course Focus13. Eyepiece

Guess What?We will now look at the 13 major parts of themicroscope and what their functions are thatenable us to see very small things.

Introducing the Arm and Base

Arm

Supports the body tube. Used to carry the microscope.

Base

Bottom part of the microscope often shaped like a horseshoe.

Click on the ARM

Click on the Base

Stage and Stage Clips

StagePlace where the objectyou are looking at isplaced (Specimen).

Stage ClipsHolds down the slideon the stage.

Test your Knowledge #2

#1 Leg or Arm

#2 Stage or Table

#3 Base or Place

Can you name it? Click on correct name

Great!!The ARM supports the BODY TUBE and is used to

carry the microscope.

Super!!!The STAGE is the namegiven to where you wouldplace the slide with theobject you wish to viewmore closely.

Awesome !!You are right. The BASE is located at the

bottom and supports the microscope.

Oops! Let’s Try Again

Eyepiece (Ocular Lens) and Body Tube

EyepieceThe lens you look through that magnifies the specimen.

Body TubeThe hollow tube through whichlight passes. It holds the lenses apart.

Click on the Eyepiece

Click on the Body Tube

Course and Fine Focus

Course FocusRaises or lowers the BodyTube to focus

Fine FocusRaises and lowers the

Body Tube and used tobring objects into focus.

Click on the Course and Fine Focus Knobs

Test your Knowledge #3

Click on correct name:

Scope or Eyepiece

Body Tube or Pipe

Control or Fine Focus

Nice JobWow! You are Correct!

The EYEPIECE OR OCULAR LENS is the lens that you look through that magnifies

the specimen.

WowYou are Correct!

The BODY TUBE is the hollow tube through which light passes.

Yes!!!The Course/Fine Focus raises and lowers the Body Tube. It is used to bring things into focus.

Oops!!Try Again

Nosepiece

The NOSEPIECE isthe round part thatholds the OBJECTIVELENSES apart.

Low Power/High PowerObjective Lenses

Low Power ObjectiveMagnifies the specimen at alower power

High Power ObjectiveMagnifies the specimen at aHigher power

Click on the Nosepiece

Click on the Objective Lenses

Diaphragm and Light Source

DiaphragmChanges the amount of light reaching the objective lenses.Located under the Stage.

Light SourceLocated beneath the Stageand Diaphragm. Sends lighttowards the hole in the stage.

Click on the Diaphragm

Click on the Light Source

Test Your Knowledge#4

4. Ears or Nosepiece

5. Objective or Scope Lens

6. Diaphragm or Throat

Can you name it? Click on the correct part

Super DooperThe NOSEPIECE hold the OBJECTIVE LENSES apart.

Doing GreatThe microscope has several OBJECTIVE

LENSES. Each lens has a different magnification power.

Correct AgainThe DIAPHRAGMregulates the amountof light that reaches the objective lens.It is located at the bottomof the microscope.

Try AgainCheck the diagram

                                  

Great Job!Well Done

Now that we havelearned the parts let’s see how we can usethe microscope.

Follow these instructions when using themicroscope. Click on each underlined word.

1. To carry the microscope, grasp the ARM with one hand. Hold the BASE with

your other hand.

Using the Microscope in 10 Steps

10 Steps toUsing the Microscope

2. Adjust the DIAPHRAGM while looking through the EYEPIECE.

3. Adjust the LIGHT SOURCE (mirror) until you see the circle of light.

10 Steps to Using the Microscope

4. Place the slide on the STAGE.

5. Center the SPECIMEN over the small opening on the STAGE.

6. Secure the slide with the STAGE CLIPS.

10 Steps to Using the Microscope

7. While looking at the STAGE from the side, turn the COURSE FOCUS KNOB to lower the BODY TUBE until the LOW POWER OBJECTIVE almost touches the slide.

10 Steps to Using the Microscope

8. While looking through the EYEPIECE, carefully move the COURSE FOCUS KNOB until the

specimen comes into view.

9. To switch to the HIGH POWER OBJECTIVE LENS, look at the microscope from the side.

10 Steps to Using the Microscope

10. Move the NOSEPIECE until the HIGH POWER OBJECTIVE LENS “clicks” into place. If the lens hits the slide, the slide and/or lens might break. Turn the FINE FOCUS KNOB until the specimen comes into focus.

Specimen

EYEPIECE

EYEPIECE

BODY TUBE

ARM

STAGE CLIPS

COURSE FOCUS

COURSE FOCUS

BASE

NOSEPIECE

HIGH POWER OBJECTIVE LENS

HIGH POWER OBJECTIVE LENS

LOW POWER OBJECTIVE LENS

STAGE

STAGE

DIAPHRAGM

LIGHT SOURCE

FINE FOCUS KNOB

Microscope Examples

Interesting Things to See Using Microscopes

Onion Skin Cheek Cell

Red Blood Cells Skin Cell

Interesting FactThis is an antiqueGerman microscopemade in the mid 1920’s.

Antique Microscope Web Site

After completing assignment come back to link to aninteresting web site on antique microscopes.

http://www.arsmachina.com/micro_1.htm

 

This image was obtained from the Molecular Expressions website.

Additional Reading

There are many interestingresources for you toresearch on this topic.Here are just a few books.

Certificateof Completion.You did a really

great job!

Congratulations!!

For cool information on How a Microscope Works go to:http://science.howstuffworks.com/light-microscope1.htm